Barrios de Pie group plans "food emergency" march in Buenos Aires on July 12; anticipate transportation disruptions and heightened security presence

Event

The Barrios de Pie civic organization is holding a march in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, July 12, to denounce food shortages in Argentina and pressure congress into declaring a "food emergency." The organization has also proposed the creation of a federal council to monitor the nutritional intake of underprivileged childen in the country. Organizers have announced that partial roadblocks will be set up throughout the city, including at the Pueyrredon Bridge, La Noria Bridge, the Pan American Route, the 1987 Route, and the Buenos Aires-La Plata Expressway.

Traffic congestion in the downtown area is likely, along with an increased police presence. Clashes between security forces and protesters are possible, as was the case during labor union protests held on June 28.

Context

Barrios de Pie claims that approximately 43 percent of underprivileged children and adolescents throughout the country suffer from malnutrition.

While the majority of demonstrations in Argentina take place without major incident, larger ones can result in major traffic chaos that can significantly disrupt daily life. Clashes with security forces and other low-intensity violence occasionally occurs, particularly when protesters erect roadblocks. Violence recently broke out during protests in Buenos Aires on June 28 as police attempted to remove roadblocks; at least seven protesters were arrested.

Sociopolitical tensions have been on the rise in Argentina since current (conservative) President Mauricio Marci took office in December 2015, with an uptick in anti-government protests and strikes observed in recent months. Various groups are demanding increased salaries amid high inflation and protesting to draw attention to various other socioeconomic issues, including high unemployment, poverty, and economic inequality.

Advice

Individuals in Argentina are advised to avoid all protests as a precaution, allow for extra time to reach their destinations, and to keep abreast of the sociopolitical climate in the coming days and weeks.​